Guided multiple pile driver system
A system for simultaneously driving multiple piles into the ground to create A-frame type structures that are anchored by piles running at angles to one other and to the ground. The system comprises a guide assembly and an actuator for moving piles through the guide assembly and the actuator (such as a meshing gear, ratchet or rollers) that engages a slots or teeth in the side portion of the pile to drive the piles into the ground.
1. A gear driven pile driving system, comprising:
a gear;
a pair of piles having a series of slots therein, the slots being dimensioned to mate with the gear; and
a guide assembly for simultaneously guiding the pair of piles such that rotation of the gear drives the pair of piles into the ground at an angle to one another.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the gear is a pinion, a worm, or a roller.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the guide assembly supports a lower end of each pile at or near ground level.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the guide assembly bends each pile and guides it into the ground.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the guide assembly comprises a first surface positioned to bend each pile outwardly at a first angle as each pile is driven into the ground.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the guide assembly comprises a second surface positioned to straighten each pile such that rotation of the gear drives each straightened pile into the ground at a second angle.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein each pile is curved over a portion of its length.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the slots in each pile are angled with respect to the sides of the pile.
9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a drive assembly for rotating the gear, wherein the drive assembly is mounted to a vehicle.
10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a PV tracker array mounted onto the piles.
11. A method of driving piles into the ground, comprising:
providing a plurality of piles, each pile having a series of slots therein, the slots being dimensioned to mate with a gear;
holding the piles with a guide assembly; and
rotating a gear, wherein the slots in the piles mate with the gear such that the piles are simultaneously driven into the ground by rotating the gear.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the gear is a worm gear, and wherein rotation of the worm gear simultaneously drives the plurality of piles into the ground.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the lower ends of the piles are held at ground level by the guide assembly.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the guide assembly bends the piles as they are driven into the ground, thereby driving the piles into the ground at outwardly splayed angles to one another.
15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising mounting a PV array onto the piles after the piles have been driven into the ground.
16. A pile driving system, comprising:
a pair of piles;
a guide assembly, comprising:
a housing,
a bending guide in the housing for bending the piles as the piles pass down through the housing, and
an actuator for moving the piles through the guide assembly to simultaneously drive the pair of piles into the ground.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the actuator is a gear that engages a series of slots or teeth on the piles, thereby pulling the piles down through the housing.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the gear is a worm.
19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the actuator is an impact force system that includes a ratchet that engages a series of slots or teeth on the piles.
20. The system of claim 16 , wherein the guide assembly is positioned on the ground to engage the lower ends of the piles.
21. The system of claim 16 , wherein the lower ends of the piles are bent outwardly from one another when driven into the ground.
22. The system of claim 16 , wherein the upper top ends of the piles are parallel to one another when the piles have been driven into the ground.